US2690353A - Street refuse collecting and transporting machine - Google Patents

Description

H. B. KEOGH Sept. 28, 1954 STREET REFUSE COLLECTING AND TRANSFORTING MACHINE Filed Sept. 2. 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet l M Pm W m I L l, I I r 6 n" H MH k m. w, \Q N QMM MW W u M A A I mw fl ,4 wk i Q M 04 I q Q Sept. 28, 1954 H. B. KEOGH 2,690,353

STREET REFUSE COLLECTING AND TRANSPORTING MACHINE Filed Sept. 2, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 #Ebus/ 2264 Sept. 28, 1954 H. B. KEOGH STREET REFUSE COLLECTING AND TRANSPORTING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 2, 1950 P 1954 H. a. KEOGH 2,690,353

STREET REFUSE COLLECTING AND TRANSPORTING' MACHINE Filed Sept. 2, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Sept 1954 H. B. KEOGH 2,690,353

STREET REFUSE COLLECTING AND TRANSPORTING MACHINE q/wa-d fl a.

Patented Sept. 28, 1954 ATENT OFFICE STREET REFUSE COLLECTING AND TRAN SPOR'EIN G MACHINE Hedley Benjamin Keogh, Thornbury, Victoria, Australia Application September 2, 1950, Serial No. 182,937

Claims priority, application Australia September 5, 1949 4 Claims. 1

This invention relates to street sweeping machines and refers to the transportation and disposal of refuse, dirt and rubbish collected, elevated and deposited in a hopper mounted on the machine as the latter traverses a street or roadway.

It is customary in practice to mount the front hopper at the end of the machine in a fixed position, with the door at the base of the hopper disposed at a low level above the road or other surface being traversed by the machine.

In emptying such a fixed hopper, the door is released and the contents of the hopper are deposited upon the roadway and shovelled by road operatives into trucks for transportation to a rubbish tip or other place of disposal.

Such a method of collection and disposal is obviously laborious, time-consuming and resultantly expensive.

Now the principal objective of this invention is the provision in a street sweeping machine of means whereby the dirt and rubbish collected by a road sweeping machine may be expeditiously discharged from the hopper directly into a truck or other vehicle for disposal, thereby avoiding the slow and expensive manual shovelling now usual.

An object of the invention is to provide a street sweeping machine of simple, durable and relatively inexpensive construction, which is durable and highly efiicient in use and operated and controlled by a single operative.

A further object of the invention is to provide a street sweeping machine in which the hopper is positioned at the front of the machine and is clearly visible and at all times under the full control of the driver.

The accompanying drawings depict an illustrative practical embodiment of an elevatable refuse collection hopper according to the invention as applied to a street sweeping machine.

In these drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the elevatable hopper and street sweeping machine, showin the former in the filling position and the latter in outline schematically.

Fig. 2 is a view in plan of the collection hopper and street sweeping machine.

Fig. 3 is a schematic side elevation of the elevatable hopper and street sweeping machine, showing the former in raised dumpin position.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation partly sectional showing a portion of the support of the elevatable hopper and the control and operating means for actuating and locking the discharge door of the hopper.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional elevation of the lower portion of the elevatable hopper showing the means for closing and locking the discharge door of the hopper.

Fig. 6 is an inverted plan of the discharge door of the hopper showing the closing and locking means of the former.

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of hydraulically operated means for raising and lowering the elevatable hopper.

Referring now to the drawings, a hopper 5 is positioned at the front end of a street sweeping machine indicated generally by 6, and receives the material swept by a rotary broom or brush 1 from the roadway through an elevating conveyor la in the usual manner.

Secured to the hopper 5 on opposite sides thereof are angle brackets 8 which seat upon extensions 9 of the frame In of the machine and support the hopper in the filling position in the open space between the extension. The hopper has secured thereto a curved member or beam l I of box section which is disposed upwardly at the front of the hopper 5 and extends across the top [2 thereof, and rearwardly from the hopper for a required distance.

The cross-sectional depth of the curved beam 1 l increases from the outer or lower end, but the width, that is the distance between the opposite sides 13, is substantially constant from end to end of the beam, see Figs. 1 and 2.

The rearward extension of the beam II is substantially straight and located above and in spaced relation from the frame ll] of the machine, and at the rear end It the beam is pivotally supported by a shaft or journal l5 in bearings 18 carried by brackets or supports comprising members ii and i8 secured to the frame It and upwardly extended therefrom. The members l8 are connected by angular section pieces l9 and braced laterally by stays 20.

It will be understood from Figs. 1 and 2 that the box section beam I! comprises a pivoted arm to support the hopper which can be angularly moved or swung upwardly by the arm upon the bearings It to permit the hopper 5 to be raised from the normal supported filling position on the machine frame as shown by Fig. 1, and carried upwardly to a required height for dumping, i. e. to the dumping position, see Fig. 3.

To that end, there is provided a hydraulic motor indicated generally at 2| and comprising a cylinder 22 interposed between the beam or arm H and the frame IE] of the machine, see Figs. 1 and 7.

The cylinder 22 is pivotally supported by a shaft 23 journaled in bearings 24 integral with a bracket 25 secured to a transverse member 26 of the machine frame, and the cylinder is fitted with a ram 2? which is pivotally connected by a crosshead 23 to a shaft 29 carried in plates 35 extending between and integrally united with supports 3i of channel section welded to lateral plates 32 Comprising the sides E3 of the arm I l.

The cylinder 22 is supplied with motive fluid delivered through a pipe 35 under required pressure by a power operated pump (not shown) on the machine through a non-return or check valve 3 3 of suitable construction. By means of remotely controlled valve 22a in a branch connected with the return pipe 38 motive fluid may be admitted to the cylinder through a pipe 35 and discharged from the cylinder through return pipe 36, or retained in the cylinder so as to support the ram 27, the arm ll connected therewith and the hopper in the raised dumping position.

Normally the control valve 22a is in the open position, wherein the supply pipe 33 through the check valve 3d and the cylinder 22 through the pipe 35 are in communication with the pipe 55 which through the tubular T-fitting 36a is connected with ports 220 in the cylinder 22, see Fig. 7'.

The portion of the cylinder above the ram 2'! comprises a reservoir or container for motive fluid, preferably though not essentially a suitable oil, and in the normal open position of the control valve 2260, the portions of the cylinder 22 above and below the ram 2T1 are in communication by way of the ports 22b and 220, fitting 35a, pipe 36, control valve 22a and the pipe 35.

Oil accordingly in the open position of the valve 22a is delivered from the oil pump (not shown) through the check valve 54 and flows through the open valve to the pipe 35 and is returned to the inlet of the pump, no oil passing into or out of the cylinder 22.

In order to thrust the ram 2? upwardly to elevate the beam I! and hopper as described, the control valve 22a is closed by the driver of the machine, to shut ofi connection of the supply pipe 33 with the pipe 35.

Oil under pressure resultantly passes through the pipe 35 into the cylinder 22 and thrusts the ram 2'! upwardly to elevate the beam and hopper.

As the ram rises, oil in the portion of the cylinder 22 above the former passes outwardly through the ports 22b and 220 and passing into the pipe 36 is circulated through the pump and enters the cylinder 22 through the pipe 35, under pressure to raise the ram. Thus as the ram is elevated oil passes from the portion of the cylinder above the ram into the portion of the former below the latter.

The ram will continue to rise until it passes above the port 220 to the position indicated by 21a, whereupon the oil entering the cylinder through the pipe 35 is returned to the pump via the port 2222 and the pipe 36.

In the fully raised position, the ram 21 is disposed between the ports 22!) and 220, the former port providing communication between the upper part of the cylinder and the fitting 35a and preventing trapping of oil above the ram. In order that the cylinder 22 may be filled and to prevent the forming of pressure above the ram, there is provided a filling aperture in the upper end of the cylinder which is provided with a detachable filler plug 22d apertured to comprise a breather.

As the valve 22a continues to remain closed, the ram will be retained in the extreme elevated position, i. e. in the position 2M above the port 22b.

In order to lower the ram and return the hopper to the filling position, the driver actuates the valve 220. back to the open position shown in Fig. 7., whereupon the ram 2"! and hopper descend under gravity, oil flowin from the lower portion of the cylinder to the upper portion thereof above the ram through the pipe 35, open valve 22a, pipe 35 and port 22b.

If it be desired to stop the upward movement of the rain 2-? at an intermediate position between the normal low position and the maximum elevation as determined by the port 2222, the motive fluid or oil supply pump is stopped upon the ram and hopper attaining the required elevation.

Upon the ram and hopper attaining the required elevation and release of the clutch, the former are retained in the required raised position, until the control valve 22a is opened to release the oil trapped in the cylinder as already described.

The hopper 5 is so shaped that in the normal filling position the discharge door 3'? thereof is substantially horizontal, but in the raised or dumping position of the hopper 5 is inclined to facilitate openin and discharge of the contents of the hopper.

The discharge door 3'? of the hopper 5 when released at the dumping position opens automatically under weight of the contents, and for this purpose and also closing and locking, is actuated by the driver of the machine through servomotors operated by remote control means.

In the illustrative embodiment, the servomotors are vacuum operated and are of the type generally known as vacuum motors.

Two of such vacuum motors are provided and are mounted in the hopper supporting arm H, the motor 38 being used to effect closing of the discharge door 37, while the motor 39 is utilized to release the locking means whereby the discharge door is retained in the closed position.

The discharge door 3'! is pivotally supported by hinge lugs 40 extended from the former adjacent to the lower end of the curved beam II, and angularly movable upon a transverse shaft 4| carried by brackets 42 secured to the hopper 5, see Figs. 5 and 6. In opening, the discharge door swings outwardly as shown by Fig. 3, and as the door moves the hinge lugs 40 partially rotate upon the shaft 4|.

In order that the door 31 may be closed by the motor 38, the latter is connected by a cable 43 to a shaft 44 fixed to lugs 45 welded to the inner side of the door, the lugs 45 and the bar 44 and cable 43 being shielded from the contents of the hopper by a plate 46.

The door 37 is retained in the closed position by spring-influenced latches 47 which as the door closes, engage a catch plate 48 and snap into slots, indicated by 49, formed in the latter. To ensure engagement of the latches with the catch plate, the ends of the former and latter are appropriately bevelled, see Fig. 5.

The door 31 is of hollow construction, and the latches 4'! are disposed therein and guided through slots in a latch plate 50 forming the opening edge of the door.

The latches 41 are secured to a transverse bar 47a, and the latter is connected by a guided stem 5|, lugs 52 integral with the stem, and a pin 53 to a rod 54 slidable through a fixed guide 55 and connected by links 56 to arms 51 secured to a sleeve 58 rotatable upon the transverse shaft I'll, see Figs. 5 and 6.

'62 are three ports 12, I3 and M.

Encircling the rod 54 and positioned between the fixed guide 55 and an adjusting nut 59 is a spring 60 which exerts a thrust upon the stem 5! and bar 41a, so as to extend the latches 4'! for resilient engagement with the catch plate 48 and thereby retain the door 31 in the closed position.

For the purpose of releasing the latches 4? from the catch plate 48, the arms 5! are connected by a cable 6! with the motor 39, which upon being operated withdraws the latches against the resistance of spring 6! The motors 38 and 39 are actuated by the driver of the machine through remote control means which comprises conveniently a semi-rotary cylindrical valve 62, having a plug 63 angularly movable by a handle 64 shown in Fig. 4 in a neutral position.

The control valve 62 is connected by a pipe 65 with a vacuum chamber 66 which at 61 is con nected in the usual way with the induction manifold of the engine (not shown).

The pipe 65 is connected with an axial passage 68 in the plug 83 which is formed with a port 69 extending radially from the passage 63 and with a partly circumferential groove 1%.

Formed in the casing H of the control valve The port 12 is in constant connection with the groove Hi and externally with the atmosphere. The port 13 is connected by a pipe 75 with the motor 3%, while the port it is connected with the motor 39 by a pipe 16.

As shown in Fig. 4, the control valve 62 is in the neutral position, the radial port 69 is not associated with either port 73 or M and both motors through the respective pipes l5 and 16, ports 13 and 14, groove l9 and port F2 are in communication with the atmosphere.

If the handle 6Q as viewed in Fig. 4, be turned clockwise, the radial port 69 may be connected with the port .14 and pipe l6, so as to connect the motor 39 with the chamber 68, whereby a vacuum is created in the former, which is operated by differential pressure in the usual way, while the motor 38 byway of the pipe 15, port 13, groove 10 and port 12 continues to be connected with the atmosphere.

Upon the handle being turned counterclockwise, to connect the radial port 69 withithe port '83, it will be apparent that the motor 33 will be operated while the motor 39 continues to be connected to atmosphere.

In operation, and as the machine traverses a street or roadway, the rotary broom l sweeps refuse to the elevating conveyor la, which car ries the collected refuse and rubbish upwardly to pass through a filling aperture Ti at the upper part of the hopper 5 into the latter.

When the hopper is filled, the control valve 22a is actuated by the driver to admit fluid under pressure to the cylinder 22 to thereby opcrate the ram 21 which in rising elevates the beam H and therewith the hopper 5 to the dumping position shown in Fig. 3.

The hopper may be fully elevated or partly raised to a required height and supported by the oil trapped in the cylinder 22, as previously described herein.

The machine is then driven to position the elevated hopper over a dumping point or over the body of a truck whereby the collected dirt and refuse are transported to a rubbish tip or destructor.

When the hopper is thus located over the dumping point or truck tray, the driver actuates the control valve 62 to operate the motor 39, which by the cable 6! withdraws the latches A! from engagement with the catch plate 48, thereby releasing the door 31 to open and discharge the contents of the hopper 5.

Upon the hopper being emptied, the driver actuates the control valve 62 to operate the motor 3 8 which by the cable 43 closes the door 31. As the door shuts, the latches d1 automatically re-engage the catch plate 48 to retain the door closed during refilling of the hopper.

To return the hopper 5 to the filling position, the driver operates the valve 22a to the open or exhaust position thereby connecting the cylinder 22 with the pipe 36, whereupon the hopper 5 gravitates to the filling position, and the beam I l in moving downwardly returns the ram 2? to the normal position in readiness for re-operation.

It will be observed and understood that the machine both in collecting and discharging refuse is at all times completely under the control of the driver, and moreover, it will be apparent that the machine greatly facilitates the collection and disposal of refuse in comparison with the costly and time-consuming operations of machines whereby refuse is collected and then re-deposited on the roadway for manual shovelling to a required position or into a truck or the like for transportation.

I claim:

1. A street sweeping machine comprising a chassis, a frame secured to and extending upwardly from the chassis, a hopper for refuse swept and elevated from the surface of streets supported by and in front of the chassis in a normal position for filling, a longitudinally disposed hollow beam secured to the hopper pivotally supported upon a transverse axis on the frame and angularly movable in a substantially vertical plane, a door comprising the base of the hopper and opening automatically under the weight of the refuse, remotely controlled power operated means mounted within the hollow beam and operatively connected to and adapted to close the door, resiliently influenced latching means mounted upon the door, catches on the hopper engageable by the latching means to support the door, remotely controlled power activated means Within the hollow beam connected with and operable to release the latching means, a hydraulic motor connected to the beam and operable to angularly move the beamto raise and lower the hopper between the normal filling position and an elevated discharging position in advance of the chassis and support the hopper in the latter position for discharge of the refuse upon gravitational opening of the door responsive to release of the latching means by the remotely controlled power activated means, and remotely controlled valvular means controlling the operation of the hydraulic motor.

2. A street sweeping machine comprising a chassis, a frame secured to and extending upwardly from the chassis, a hopper for refuse swept and elevated from streets supported by and in front of the chassis in a normal filling position, a curvilinear longitudinally disposed hollow beam secured to the hopper pivotally supported by and angularly movable in a vertical plane about a transverse horizontally disposed axis on the frame, a door comprising the base of the hopper opening automatically under weight of the refuse, remotely controlled power operated means mounted within the curvilinear hollow beam connected with and operable to close the door, spring influenced latches mounted on the door and automatically engageable with catches on the hopper to support the door, remotely controlled power activated means within the hollow curvilinear beam connected with and operable to release the latches, a hydraulic cylinder supported by the chassis, a, ram in the hydraulic cylinder operatively connected to the beam, and remotely controlled valvular means controlling the admission to, exhaust from and trapping of fluid in the cylinder to respectively operate the ram to raise, lower and support in an elevated discharging position the beam and the hopper.

3. A street sweeping machine comprising a chassis, forward extensions of the chassis spaced apart to form an open space at the front of the latter, a frame secured to and extending upwardly from the chassis, a hopper for refuse swept and elevated from streets positioned normally in the open space and supported in a normal filling position upon the chassis extensions, a curvilinear beam extending longitudinally over and secured to the hopper and pivotally supported upon a transverse horizontally disposed shaft journaled on the frame, a door hinged to and comprising the base of the hopper automatically opening under weight of the refuse, a remotely controlled servomotor mounted on the beam and operatively connected to and adapted to close the door, spring-influenced latches slidably mounted on the door and engageable with catches on the hopper to support the door, a remotely controlled servomotor mounted on the beam and connected with and operable to release the latches for gravitational opening of the door, a hydraulic cylinder supported by the chassis, a ram in the hydraulic cylinder operatively connected to the beam, and remotely controlled valvular means controlling the admission to, exhaust from and trapping of fluid in the cylinder to respectively operate the ram to raise, lower and support in an elevated discharging position the beam and the hopper.

4. A street sweeping machine comprising a chassis, forward extensions of the chassis spaced apart to form an open space at the front of the latter, a frame secured to and extending upwardly from the chassis, a hopper for refuse swept and elevated from streets positioned normally in the open space and supported in a filling position upon the chassis extensions, a curvilinear box section beam extending longitudinally over and secured to the hopper and pivotally supported at one end for angular movement in a substantially vertical plane upon a transverse horizontally disposed shaft journaled on the frame, a door hinged to and comprising the base of the hopper and opening under weight of the refuse, a remotely controlled pneumatic motor mounted within the beam and operatively connected to and adapted to close the door, a springinfluenced latch bar slidably mounted on the door and carrying latches engageable with catches on the hopper to supportthe door, a remotely controlled pneumatic motor mounted within the beam and connected with and operable to move the latch bar and withdraw the latches to release the door for gravitational opening, a hydraulic cylinder pivotally supported on the chassis, a ram in the hydraulic cylinder operatively connected to the beam at a point between the transverse horizontally disposed shaft and the hopper, and remotely controlled valvular means controlling the admission to, exhaust from and trapping of fluid in the cylinder to operate the ram to respectively raise, lower and support in an elevated discharging position the beam and the hopper.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,416,041 Liddall May 16, 1922 1,673,780 Sargent June 12, 1928 1,800,824 Evans Apr. 14, 1931 2,141,557 Reiter Dec. 27, 1938 2,220,202 Bohne Nov. 5, 1940 2,234,599 Johnston Mar. 11, 1941 2,237,838 McClish Apr. 8, 1941 2,255,758 Call Sept. 16, 1941 2,369,722 Dempster Feb. 20, 1945

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